Question

Find the value of a2+b2 and a4+b4 when a+b=5 and ab =4
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Answer 1

a² + b² = 17

a^4 + b^4 = 257

Explanation:

The only solutions for a+b=5 and ab =4 is:

4 and 1 but we don't know which is which. In this case it doesn't matter though.

a² + b² = 16 + 1 = 17

a^4 + b^4 = 256 + 1 = 257

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